Man shoots wife in the butt after she refuses sex

A 76-year-old man in Lehigh Acres told authorities he shot his 62-year-old wife after she refused to sleep in his bed and have sex.

Donald Royce and his bride have been married for nearly six months but have not consummated their union, he told deputies, after the couple’s roommate had found the woman shot and called 911.

According to the roommate, all three people living in the home in the 100 block of Robert Avenue have separate rooms. Royce and his wife sometimes share a room, but on Friday, his wife decided to sleep in her own room. Upset at her decision to not stay with him, Royce and his wife were heard arguing. A short time later, the roommate said she heard two gunshots.

When questioned, Royce said his wife refused to have sex with him and claimed her only wanted to scare her with the gun by shooting the mattress. Instead, he missed and hit her in her hip and butt area. He even told deputies when they arrived that he shot her and the gun was in his room.

Deputies arrested Royce on domestic violence charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. His bond is set at $100,000.

"Sometimes coming up with a plan is important because domestic violence can be a deadly issue," said a certified expert in domestic violence, Laura Streyffeler.

Streyffeler said no matter if it's physical, or mental abuse, it's best to reach out for help before there is a major incident.

"If you're afraid in your relationship, or if you feel like you have no power in your relationship, then you potentially could be a victim of domestic violence."

She mentioned the ACT Abuse hotline as a good resource for those abused. Their phone number is 239-939-3112.

Get More: Domestic abuse and the elderly

Researchers think the problem is vastly under reported. They estimate less than five percent of abuse cases come to light. In those case that were reported, only about 50 percent are referred for charges.